| Archive for Downsizer For an ethical approach to consumption |
| Lorrainelovesplants |
Wanted - egg weigher/grader for small businessI am looking to purchase a small egg weigher/grader in order to open as an egg packing station. Ive been told that a set of digital scales that can differentiate between parts of a gram is sufficient.Ive looked in the Argos catalogue (suggested by the egg marketing inspector, beleive it or not) but there are loads! When I tried the internet they are loadsamoney! Anyone with any experience of this or suggestions? The EMI also suggested a tin can with a lightbulb inside for a cheap and cheerful candler, which is a bit more upmarket (but not much) than my torch inside a toilet roll. 
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| Jamanda |
Something that can weigh parts of a gramme is very sensitive, and therefore not cheap. It's a problem we have a work, trying to find the compromise between cheap enough, sensitive enough and robust enough.
I just looked in the lab supplies catalogue, and what you need would be £200 
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| Jamanda |
Just found one in a different catalogue that will do 0.1 g up to 200g for £21. | ||
| RichardW |
Have you got your hand stamp & food safe ink too?
Richard |
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| Lorrainelovesplants |
Jamanda if you could pm me the details of the catalogue Id be grateful.
Regarding the hand stamp, Im trying to clarify, but have been told that if you have under 50 hens this is not a requirement. Also, I can sell eggs by weight, ie in a mitched grade box, just need to label the box mixed grade eggs. Awaiting confirmation from EMI on Monday. I do have a contact for the stamp & ink though..... |
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| Jamanda |
OK. Have to wait until Monday now. |
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| RichardW |
I think you are mixing regulations up. Yes under 50 you can sell eggs direct & not stamp. But then why would you want to be a packing station? Also selling mixed grade eggs would be the same as selling ungraded eggs IE not a packing station. That allows you top sell to any one even via a third party. I am sure that packing stations have to number the eggs & packagine. | ||
| marigold |
Googling "egg scales" found this - http://www.solwayfeeders.com/ProductsDetail1.asp?STOCK_CODE=1147
If you google "digital scale .01g" or "pocket scale" you'll get other options (some cheaper, some not!). |
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| Lorrainelovesplants |
Marigold - saw this at Solway was trying to find even cheaper, but its reserve.
Re the regulations - I have spoken to the EMI, Defrs (useless), EH and a local free range egg producer. If I sell eggs direct to the consumer I can sell at the farm gate, at car boots, and door to door. I do not need to grade or stamp. If I sell to a shop or restaurant I need to stamp, but if |I sell a mixed grade box then I mark the box Minimum weight....g, mixed size eggs, and this is sufficient to ccover. This is the point I am trying to clarify. There is a point in me doing it, I just want to ensure I am keeping to the letter of the law, which changes July 2008. |
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| RichardW |
I think you have it wrong.
From my understanding over the gate no need for number or to be a packing station if under 350 hens. CANT NOT GRADE OR SIZE THE EGGS Selling away from "over the gate" (ie at market or via WI / country markets & farmers markets) must have number even under 350 hens over 350 hens MUST be a packing station. selling through an agent (shop, pub restaurant) must be a packing station. Have never seen regs about mixed boxes or min weight of a box. Either you are a packing station & must grade & size eggs or you are not a packing station and can not size or grade eggs. Richard |
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| sally_in_wales |
re the scales, won't you need 'stamped for trade' scales? If you do, that tends to affect the price | ||
| RichardW |
Yes need certified scales or Trading standards will be after you (or not cos they realy dont seem to care, we tried for 2 years to get input on labels from them). Richard |
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| Woodburner |
Surely it's number of eggs per day or week that's the criteria rather than hens, as not all hens will necessarily be layers, especially if you raise your own birds, or if they are being kept for a second laying season. 
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| RichardW |
no its number of hens
remember this is designed for large units that know exactly how many % will be laying at any time in the cycle (cos when it dips the batch goes) |